How To Get Noticed By Your Company’s CEO

Ever find yourself alone in the elevator with the CEO, palms sweating and tongue-tied?

Apart from awkward elevator interactions, how can you catch the eye of the CEO in a way that will provide long-term opportunities for you, without railroading over your colleagues and superiors?

As a current CEO, preceded by many years as a non-CEO, I can tell you the answer is simpler than you might think. These five tips will definitely help. Just be careful not to take your efforts too far; overstepping your role could bring you the kind of attention you’re not looking for.

1. JUST INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Most CEOs I know welcome the opportunity to get acquainted with people at all levels of the organization. Be brief, specific, and positive in your introduction: “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Joel, and I’ve been a clerk here for two months. I’m excited to be here.”

If you have met the CEO before, but you’re not sure he’ll be able to place your name or face, give him a bit of context and a topic to talk about: “Hi, I’m Amy from sales. I attended that quarterly review last month, in place of my boss, Stan Baldwin. I have to say, things really are looking up this quarter.”

You know you’ve gone too far when: You’re talking so rapidly that it takes a minute to register his response: “Okay, nice to meet you. You can let go of my hand now.” Also beware of over-introducing yourself or getting into creepy/stalker territory: “Hi, I’m Jonas. I’ve been here 10 years now. We sat next to each other at the sales conference last year? You ordered the halibut for dinner that night and spilled tartar sauce on your tie? Man, I loved the navy shoes you wore that night.”

2. VOLUNTEER FOR PROJECTS

CEOs tend to have far more ideas than they have people to execute on those ideas. If you’re in a meeting, and a project opportunity arises that happens to be in your wheelhouse, raise your hand. Volunteer. This is your chance to be seen by the CEO—to show some initiative and passion.

You know you’ve gone too far when: You’re a marketer volunteering to take on the balance sheet. Make sure you’re qualified to complete the task. Also, be careful not to over-volunteer to the point that you’re elbowing your colleagues out of the way. You don’t want to catch the CEO’s eye in a way that makes everyone else hate you.

3. ASK YOUR MANAGER FOR HELP

If you have a good relationship with your direct manager, don’t hesitate to ask directly, “Hey, I’ve never had a chance to see our CEO in action. Could I attend an upcoming meeting or event with you? I’d like her to know who I am when opportunities come up.” Most managers who are secure in their own positions will have no problem with that.